Police are investigating video footage that is said to show an officer kicking a man moments after he was shot with a Taser gun.

The short piece of film was drawn to the attention of Sussex police on Monday following the incident on Brighton seafront on Friday evening.

A police spokesman said officers were called to Sainsbury's in Western Road, Brighton, following a complaint that a member of staff had been pushed to the ground by a man who was attempting to steal food from the store.

He said: "Officers traced the man to the seafront nearby and at 6.33pm they confirmed that it had been necessary to Taser him in order to carry out a safe arrest.

"The man was arrested on suspicion of theft and obstructing police, and received health and welfare checks to ensure that he was unharmed."

He was later released on police bail until 26 July pending further inquiries, the spokesman said.

The video, which was passed to the Argus newspaper in Brighton by a member of the public, is said to show the man being kicked forcefully in the leg after he is shot with the Taser gun, according to the paper.

The report adds that the man falls flat on his face and an officer is heard shouting: "Put your hands up."

The paper said the man who recorded the footage claimed that a police officer tried to stop him filming and stood in his way to block his view when he continued.

The police spokesman said the force had not received a complaint about the actions of the officers and the video was only drawn to their attention on Monday.

He said: "It has now been referred to our professional standards department who will examine it thoroughly, along with the full facts surrounding the incident, including what occurred before the actions shown in the video.

"It is important that we establish a detailed account of events from all available sources, as well as this video clip, before deciding on any further action. All suggestions of police misconduct are taken seriously and are carefully assessed, and action is taken whenever appropriate."